Members of the International Code Council (ICC) Means of Egress
Code Committee heard code change proposals to the International
Building Code yesterday as part of the ICC's code change hearings
currently taking place in Orlando. The following are some highlights
that may be of interest to the glass, glazing and fenestration industries.

E87-06/07, 1012.3 (IFC [b] 1012.3): Disapproved. The proposal, in
regards to handrail graspability, sought to allow for additional
handrail designs in order to provide equivalent graspability. The
committee did not approve the proposal saying the data used by the
proponents was old.

E88-06/07, 1012.3 (IFC [B] 1012.3): Also was not approved. Based
on the same research as E87, the proposal sought an exception for
handrails used in various residences.

E89-06/07, 1012.4 (IFC [B] 1012.4): A motion to modify the code
passed. The code now reads "Handrails within dwelling units
are permitted to be by a newel post at a turn" and "Within
a dwelling unit, the use of a volute, turnout, starting easing or
starting newel is allowed over the lowest tread."

E90-06/07, 1012.4 (IFC [B] 1012.4): Passed. The code change proposal
sought to add language regarding handrail gripping surfaces. Language
was added that reads "Where handrails are provided along a
walking surfaces with slopes not steeper than 1:20, the bottoms
of the handrail gripping surfaces shall be permitted to be obstructed
along their entire length where they are integral to crash rails
or bumper guards."

E92-06/07, 1012.5 (IFC [B] 1012.5): Not approved. The proponent
sought to revise the code to allow that handrail extensions at stairways
and ramps be allowed to extend in the same direction of the stair
flight and ramp run. Exceptions were proposed for certain dwelling
units.

E96-06/07: Not approved. The proposal concerned guards located along
open-sided walking surfaces, such as mezzanines, industrial equipment
platforms, stairs, ramps, landings that are located more than 30
inches above the floor or grade below. Among other changes to the
text, the proposal sought to strike text that read: "Where
glass is used to provide a guard or as a portion of the guard system,
the guard shall also comply with Section 2407. Guards shall also
be located along glazed sides of stairways, ramps and landings that
are located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below where
the glazing provided does not meet the strength and attachments
in Section 1607.7." The proposal sought to revise the code
to read: "Where glass is used to provide a guard or as a portion
of the guard system, the guard shall also comply with Section 2407.
Where the glazing provided does not meet the strength and attachment
requirements in Section 1607.7, complying guards shall also be located
along glazed sides of open-sided walking surfaces."

E97.1 06/07, 1013.1 (IFC [B] 1013.1); R312.1. Not approved. The
proposal sought to add text requiring that guards be "measured
vertically from the edge height of the open-side to the deepest
point no more than 24 inches horizontal off the open-side edge."
The committee disapproved as it found the proposal "confusing."

The motion for E52-06/07, 1008.1.8.7 [IFC [B] 1008.1.8/7 (New)]
carried with modifications. The code change proposal requested the
following revisions concerning electromagnetically locked egress
doors, requiring that the means of egress in buildings with an occupancy
in Group A, B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 and doors to tenant spaces in A,
B, E, M, R-1 or R-2 shall be permitted to be electromagnetically
locked if equipped with listed hardware that incorporates a built-in
switch that meets the following requirements:

1. The listed hardware affixed to the door leaf has an obvious method
of operation that is readily operated under all lighting conditions.

2. The listed hardware is capable of being operated with one hand.

3. Operation of the listed hardware interrupts power supply to the
electromagnetic lock and unlocks the door.

4. Loss of power to the listed hardware automatically unlocks the
door.

E162-06/07. Not approved. Mike Fischer, representing the Window
and Door Manufacturers Association represented by Mick Fisher, was
one of the supporters of this proposal that recommended a change
in text regarding emergency escape ladders. The proposal sought
for emergency escape and rescue openings located above the first
story in Group R-3 occupancies to be provided with an approved permanently
mounted emergency escape ladder.

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